Design for a Stage Set at the Opéra, Paris 1828 - 1890

This stage set design was made in the 19th century, in Paris, by Eugène Cicéri, using pen and ink and watercolor over graphite on paper. You can see the artist's hand clearly in the free application of ink and expressive brushwork. It's interesting to consider this drawing not just as a design, but as a kind of performance in itself. Cicéri had to quickly translate the imagined space of the opera into a convincing sketch. Look closely, and you'll see the barest indication of graphite under-drawing, a structural element, and then a rapid buildup of tones. This design, created with relatively simple means, would have then served as a guideline for many skilled laborers to construct a large-scale set, complete with complex mechanisms to move scenery on and off stage, and creating spectacular illusions for the audience. So, while this unassuming drawing may seem a world away from the glamour of the Paris Opera, it's a crucial piece of the puzzle, connecting the artistry of the designer with the labor of countless artisans.